Levelling up in the Festive Season

It's been a busy week. Between the pre-Christmas rush at work to get projects closed, getting jobs done about the house, and trying to see friends and family before the big day, we haven't really stopped.

The week started well with Missy receiving her secret santa gift (organised by Dog Furiendly), and she got a really cute collar. Over the Xmas/new year period we're planning on doing a big move about with the rooms of the house working from home is now a default status these days, and sharing my space with the guest room is proving problematic. The few times we've had guests recently result in me working in the living room and the budgies getting relocated to the media room. (The budgies are slowly getting there, Fry will join me at my desk on occasion!) 

So it's time for a change and a reshuffle, and when you do one big job, you may as well do it all, so we're levelling up on life skills by teaching hubby to lay carpets and trying a new way to hang wall paper.

Oh how exciting life is! 

We also installed a fence this weekend, which was the last garden job of the year. It's cheap and cheerful and the intention is to use it to grow a hedge on in the spring, so it's all we need! 

We managed to get the mini family Xmas organised Saturday night, and also saw old friends Sunday night, so we're well and truly worn out from the festivities! A good weekend, but I am looking forward to a quiet few days to recharge the batteries for the main event next weekend! 

A New Christmas Jumper

This weekend has been a long overdue quiet one. We got the house tidied and all the odd jobs out the way. It's a low key set up this Christmas - we're planning on using the time between Christmas and New year to get some long overdue DIY done, so it's jusg the window and a few festive ornaments. 

Which, really, is how Missy prefers it - our little Scrooge is quite happy to let the nonsense pass us all by. 

It wasn't all work and no play though - I got us all matching jumpers and, with a bit of upcycling wizardry, had a kids one adjusted for Missy. 

Next years Christmas card is going to be epic. 

Missy got to debut her new glad rags on our second shot at a Lead the Way walk, this time a Christmas themed one around Arthur's Seat. 

Despite very good ticket sales, it wasn't a very big turnout. I suspect anxiety on the new Covid strain is to blame, but nonetheless, we still had a good time with those who did come along. Missy made some new friends and we had an all girl pack hanging out together. 

Our hour walk turned into an hour and a half and Missy is worn out from all the attention. Not a bad way to finish a quiet weekend. 

Until next time! 

A Festive Weekend

This weekend was the annual visit from the in-laws to do all the Christmassy bits unique to the capital. It was a funny one this year, it was the first time Hubby could commit to joining in everything, so when we booked I was super excited for it. Then the omicron strain appeared and I was quite hesitant about crowds again. And then Storm Arwen hit which, whilst it only destroyed one fence for us, meant the In laws had no power for four days, it only coming back on on the Tuesday before they arrived the Thursday. 

Honestly, I was shocked that they didn't cancel. But on Thursday they arrived, the campervan laden down with gifts like Santa's sleigh. The gifts joined the ones in my office, which now looks more like a grotto than any sensible place to work! 

Talking of work, I had Ruby join me on Friday and she was pleasantly well behaved, at least, until her mum and dad came back when she went off like a rocket.

Ruby and Maisie have a lot in common! 

Friday evening was the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle. We had previously tried to attend this back in 2019, but it had been cancelled due to bad weather, so we were pleased to actually attend this year.

It was very pretty, and very quiet in terms of people. We mooched about and watched the projections and really took our time with it, which was lovely. 

Our plans of dinner in the market were scrapped as we walked past the heaving cabins and food trucks. Not only was there no limit on numbers, there was no masks or checks for tests/passports. Another time, perhaps. 

We went to the Teasses Estate Christmas Market on the Saturday. This was to be our doggy day and there were plans to enjoy the market and then walk the dogs on the grounds. 

Then the snow came. 

We made an executive decision to bail once it started to lie and, by the time we were home, I noticed on thier Instagram that they had had to close for the snow. 

We finished the evening cuddled on the sofa with the dogs and watched the new Aardman short, "Robin Robin". 

The perfect way to get back into the Christmas spirit. 

Lastly was the Christmas lights at Edinburgh Zoo. I was a bit worried about this one as I adored the lanterns of previous years. Whilst it fell short of the craftsmanship and artestry you can only achieve with physical objects, it was whimsical and quaint enough that I fell in love with it anyway.

I did have a small world moment when my brother in law rang me (normally a sign that there's an emergency) :

BIL: It's not a bad time, is it? 

Me: I'm at the zoo, doing the lights-

BIL: NO WAY!? 

Me: Where are you?! 

BIL: We're at the zoo too! 

Me: NO WAY!

So we did a dash over, said hi, got a selfie and then legged it back to the In Laws. A really fun moment to add icing to the Christmas cake, as such. 

Then it was Monday. Back to work and away went the in laws. Too quick a weekend! Missy is absolutely beat from all the excitement:

On a final Christmas note, the llamageddon is continuing:

I gave my no-prob-llama counterpart a sneak peak and she absolutely fell in love with it. After my initial, no, it's mine, Mwhahaha moment, I decided that actually, yes, it does deserve to be loved all year round in a himalayan themed craft room. 

So after it graces my window this year, it's going to make its way south to my sisters to retire in splendid glory, surrounded by crates of bright wool and fleeces. A fitting place for it!